On the Delayed Maturation of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Refinement and Social Development

Mary Woods

Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

Adolescent, Brain, Maturation

Area of Concentration

Biological Psychology

Abstract

This thesis is a selective review of neurological changes that occur during adolescence. Significant changes in the cerebral cortex, corpus callosum and amygdale are reviewed to update the reader on some of the most recent discoveries in developmental psychobiology. Both structural and behavioral changes are reviewed, and potential correlations are proposed to suggest that the behavioral changes in adolescence do not stem only from pubertal development, but are the result of neurological changes as well. Significantly, recent evidence suggests a very late maturation of the brain, into the timespan now considered adulthood. In light of this evidence, the researcher suggests that social changes be implicated to accommodate to these recent discoveries.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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